Free The Dark Water by Seth Fishman Page B

if to contain his eagerness.
    â€œIt was a painting on the wall, near the well that brought us to you. My father found it, cut it out of the wall and studied it for years.”
    Randt eases back slowly. “I can see you speak the truth. When was this?”
    â€œThirty-four years ago,” I reply. Crazy that I just learned that yesterday. That it was exactly double my age that dad found the well.
    â€œTwo cycles,” Straoc says, counting out loud.
    â€œYes,” Randt agrees, as if they’ve just figured something out. “That would make some sense. It is when I first began to feel the map, when I first knew of its presence.” He turns back to me. “And you have memorized this map?”
    I shake my head. Not completely true of course, but apparently true enough to pass his mental lie-detector. The images I remember are seared into my mind, but I don’t know what’s on the rest of the map. I wish I had had more time with it. “No, but dad has. If you let us speak to him, he can tell you what’s on it.”
    Randt’s thoughtful. “If only it were that easy. A tension swells the city. Keeper Feileen’s brutal death calls for a successor. There will be conflict for the first time in memory, if I do not act quickly. Clans divided. More death. We are not used to that word. It represents a horrible waste of water.”
    â€œI thought you ran this place?” I ask, confused. “Straoc said we’d get to go to the Lock. So why can’t you speak to my dad?”
    â€œCapian is at arms, young Mia,” he says, motioning to the buildings below. “Your father is held out of my reach by Keeper Arcos, who is as strong as I am. He knows of the map as certainly as I do, perhaps even sees it better than me, and he will gather everything from your father before he dares allow me near.”
    â€œI thought you were part of the decision-making. I mean, don’t you have to consult one another over decisions or something?” Rob asks, his nose wrinkled in confusion. It’s still distracting to see him without his glasses.
    â€œI am one of the Three, yes,” Randt replies, with a wry smile. “One of the Two, now. But I have no power over him. What we see, what we interpret, is of our own abilities.” Randt grabs the railing and looks over Capian. We’re quiet for an awkward moment.
    â€œKeeper Randt,” Straoc finally says, “if this Topsider knows the map, and Arcos gathers from him, then all of this . . .”
    Randt raises a hand, silencing Straoc. The big Keeper cringes at the chastisement.
    â€œYou are right, of course.” He turns back to us, a smile in place. “Now, you three, you will stay here with us? Our guests until we resolve the order of things?”
    â€œWhat?” I say, incredulous. It’s strange, him asking. Like we aren’t already at his mercy. “We can’t just stay here. We have to get my dad.”
    â€œI agree,” Randt replies. “We
do
have to retrieve your father. And you, with no knowledge of this city, of the people here, you will only get in the way. Straoc, here, will go for your father. And you will stay.”
    â€œNo,” I reply firmly. “We’re coming.”
    â€œIt is not your choice,” the tall Keeper’s eyes flash, and for the first time I see a glimpse of real anger in his face.
    â€œWe don’t want to be your prisoners,” Jo says fiercely, her teeth clenched.
    Randt calms himself, raises an eyebrow. “I assure you, young Jo, that I could make you
feel
like a prisoner. Instead you will merely not be allowed to leave. Every other luxury I can offer is yours.”
    â€œRemember the Exchange?” Straoc adds. “We Keepers, some of us want to know you, to learn what it’s like Topside. But most are very hurt. To have had one of the Three die . . . It would be dangerous for you. You must stay